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Saturday, January 6, 2018

“In his name all oppression shall cease.”

Carol: “O Holy Night” – Translated from the French by John S. Dwight (1813-1893)
Tune: CANTIQUE DE NOEL (Adolphe Adam)

Oppression,
slavery, mistreatment, abuses of all kinds. If I had one wish for every
new year, it would be the cessation of all these. In other words, I
guess my desire – my prayer – would be for peace, just like the angels
promised.

These are the kinds of things that I can
actively eliminate from my own habit-cycle, but I can’t seem to do much
about it outside my own little piece of the globe. I can give to
organizations that seek to eradicate these from people-groups, I can
stand up for human rights, I can elect leaders who join me in my
concern… but CAN all oppression cease?

I have to
believe that it can, and that the infusion of the Spirit of Christ into
the hearts and minds of the offenders is indeed capable of wiping out
cruelty and subjugation wherever it raises its ugly head… or hides
itself behind conventional facades. Not only is his name wonderful, it
is also powerful – and freeing.

We started the Advent
season with the singing of "O come, O come Emmanuel, and ransom captive [people of all
kinds] who wait in lonely exile." Before we step into Epiphany - to all
those who fall into this category, I want to say with confidence: “Rejoice! Rejoice! Emmanuel has come to thee.”

Hymnlines - Hemlines: Get it?! :)

About Me

A native of Pigeon Forge, Tennessee, went to high school with Dolly Parton... and am still friends with her sister Stella who was "most talented" with me in our graduating class of 1967! Was a Southern Baptist for most of my life,am currently affiliated with Cooperative Baptists. Have worked in Baptist and Presbyterian churches - basically consider myself a Baptiterian!

Love words (texts). Am a published hymn-writer, anthem-text writer and composer. Into live theater, museums and antique stores. Enjoy good movies and PBS dramas.

Married to Carlita - Two bonus sons: Dustin,and Clint and his wife Sherry with our two grandsons Kyle and Carson who just happen to live close by!